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WEATHER: Slight risk for severe storms later today

Posted at 6:21 AM, Mar 28, 2012
and last updated 2012-03-28 12:31:42-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Some of you in Virginia later this afternoon and evening may receive some strong to severe thunderstorms tracking southward through the Commonwealth ahead of an approaching cold front from the north.

A warm front is lifting northeast through our region this morning, bringing good southwest flow that will transport a warmer air-mass back into the region today. Highs will climb into the upper 70s to near 80 degrees, which is about a 20-degree warm-up compared to yesterday’s highs in the upper 50s! In addition, that southwest wind will bring back enough low-level moisture to our region to serve as fuel for shower and thunderstorm development. The approaching front provides the necessary lift, and there may be enough wind shear in place that some of these thunderstorms could reach severe limits. Risks include damaging wind gusts and large hail. Any of these storms, though, could produce heavy downpours and frequent lightning.

The timing of these storms in the Metro looks most likely between 6 and 9 p.m. After dark, we’ll lose the best heating and storms should rapidly weaken. The surface cold front will sweep through overnight, scouring out the low-level moisture, too.

Stay with CBS 6, we’ll keep you ahead of the storm.